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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has pledged to clear the outstanding pensions and gratuities owed to senior citizens within the last two and a half years.
Recall that on Sunday, January 11 2026, the Benue State Council of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), in a statement, issued a 14 days ultimatum to the state Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia demanding payment of pension arrears and gratuities inherited from the past administration which include 96 months for Local Government Pensioners and 42 months for State Pensioners.
The union, in a statement signed by the State Chairman, Michael Vembe and State Secretary, Saater Nyamgen, also demanded the payment of five months arrears which was directed by the Governor to be paid to all pensioners but were paid to only state pensioners.
Their demands also include the harmonization of Pensions in Benue State to N32,000 minimum contrary to circular letter Ref NUP/NHQ/08B/VOL.V dated 22nd October, 2024 and the N70,000 Minimum Wage Act of 2024 which has been implemented by the State Government to Civil Servants.
They union had vowed that if by the 21st of January 2026, their demands are not met, “we shall have no choice but to mobilize all pensioners including those in the 23 Local Government Areas of the state to Makurdi for a two days peaceful protest at Benue Pension Commission Office, Bureau For Local Government And Chieftaincy Affairs office and Government House, Makurdi on 22nd and 23rd of January, 2026.
The governor who spoke to newsmen in Makurdi, assured that the payment would be done before the end of January 2026.
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He said his administration has treated the welfare of civil servants with utmost seriousness, stressing that salaries, pensions and gratuities have been paid consistently since he assumed office.
Alia said “We’ve been paying gratuities because I’ve taken the welfare of my staff and all civil servants very seriously. In the last two and a half years, I have never missed the payment of salaries and pensions, including gratuities.”
He explained that while priority was initially given to clearing approved arrears, deliberate steps are now being taken to ensure that all retirees within the period of his administration receive their entitlements.
“For those within the last two and a half years who have not received their gratuities, they will receive them in a matter of days. All gratuities within this period will be paid,” he assured.
He noted that payment of other outstanding pension and salary arrears would continue based on available financial inflows, adding that his government is determined to maintain a healthy financial flow while meeting its obligations to workers.
“I have no reason not to pay civil servants. They work for the state, and this is the only livelihood they know. That is why we do this very deliberately and diligently”.
